Random shutdown = dead HDD?

[bradm81]

So I go to turn on my computer this morning and at first everything boots fine and then in the middle of the windows startup everything just shuts down. It has done this probably ten times in a row now (I made it into windows fine a couple times, but once I tried to perform some task, it did the same thing). Everytime there's a click right after it shuts down that's coming from the Hard drive (OEM Maxtor DiamondMax 10 80gb ~1 year old). So I'm thinking it's the hard drive, but would it be able to make it through BIOS with a defective HDD? If not then what are my other likely culprits:

MB (ECS C-19A)?
CPU (Pentium D 805)?
RAM (OEM Aeneon 1GB DDR2)?
PSU (Thermaltake TR2 430W)?
something else?

I appreciate very much any and all feedback. Thanks.

 

[amdskip]

I would go to maxtors website and download a utility to check the hard drive out. Do you have any spyware on your computer? I would also download and run memtest86 to test for bad memory ( http://www.memtest86.com )

 

[bradm81]

Hey amd, thanks for the suggestions.

I run regular checks of my comp with AdAware and Symantec so I doubt it was spyware.

While the other two suggestions sound promising, I really can't do anything to check what's on my computer right now since it won't stay on for more than a few seconds. Also I dont have another machine to check them on. Any guesses about what it is or anything else I can do?

 

[marulee]

Well, first thing is making a bootable disk using IDE fitness test utility. If this sound to difficult for you, then 'press' F8 while PC is booting (if you see the windows logo previously, sounds like it might not be a harddrive issue, do scan the clusters by 'chkdisk') then restore or choose the previous OS booting. (will restore back to old registry)

 

[amdskip]

The utility does not boot into windows and should run (hard drive utility).

Memtest86 also does not boot into windows and it wouldn't matter if there was a hard drive hooked up or not.

 

[imported_nocturne]

Sounds to me like a windows problem... not a defective HD. THe click is more than likely just the hd having to shut down all of a sudden while the platters are still in motion.

 

[bradm81]

Thanks for all the suggestions. As I tried to troubleshoot based on what you guys said I noticed that the more times it shut down and the more times I rebooted trying to fix it, the faster it would shut down again. So I went into the BIOS settings and found out the CPU is running at 90-95 C! Obviously this is way too hot. My question now is: is this the ultimate problem or just a symptom of something else going wrong?

I have the Intel factory HSF on my PentD 805.

 

[imported_nocturne]

If your cpu is that hot, I'd certainly think that is the problem (the bios automatically reboots/shuts down if the cpu gets too hot, btw).

I would certainly consider removing the HSF and see if there was enough thermal grease, and if so I would consider buying a new HSF.

 

[bradm81]

Thanks nocturne. I'm getting a new HSF, but I'm still a little concerned that when I first boot up, my CPU is at 75 C by the time I get into the BIOS to check it. Is that normal? I'm just worried that I'll get a new HSF, but something will still be wrong.

 

[SparkyJJO]

When windows BSOD's it tends to then shut the drive off, or if it suddenly shuts down it'll click as well. You can probably simulate it by pulling the plug while it is running (don't do it though).

Yo do have a Pentium D which aren't the coolest chips around at all but still 75 degrees by the time you get in the BIOS is not right. What you are having is overheat issues, and the system shuts down because of it. Check the heatsink's fan, make sure the heatsink is mounted properly, all that good stuff.

 

[Archman]

Could it be that stupid setting under Startup and Recovery that Automatically restarts the system upon an error?

 

[bradm81]

Well I've got it running again for now. I guess I jarred the HSF when I was moving my comp and so it was a little loose. I've got it secure again but my P-D is still running between 60-70 C without any really heavy apps.

Think I still need a new HSF? I was wondering if just some better thermal paste might do the trick (there's some there, but it looks a little thin).

 

[imported_nocturne]

The newer pentiums always seem to run hotter than their amd counterparts (do to being more power hungry), but idling around 60 degrees is unacceptable.

I would definately get a new HSF, and better thermal grease is always a good idea (anything name brand, like Geil or Arctic Silver). When putting on your new hsf, always be sure to clean off ALL remaining thermal grease. I typically take both the HSF and CPU (removed from mobo) and clean both thoroughly with acetone (acetone is a lacquer thinner, available at almost every drugstore in the home paint section--just make sure not to smoke around it or touch it as it's highly flamable and absorbs easilly into the skin).

I typically also lap my new HSF's (lapping basically means sanding/polishing the surface until it is smooth enough to see your reflection). Here's a guide on how to do it: http://www.tweakfactor.com/articles/coolers/lapping/2.html

As for what HSF to get, both the following have good reviews and don't break the bank:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835207001
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835186134